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Concussions in volleyball

Most concussions in youth volleyball are the result of ball-to-head contacts during practice or warm-ups. To improve athlete safety on the court, Volleyball Canada introduced a new rule in 2018 to prevent athletes from going under the net to retrieve the ball during warm-up drills, a high-risk situation for ball-to-head contact.

How Volleyball Canada is taking an evidence-based approach to concussion prevention

Side view of a female Volleyball Canada athlete jumping into the air to serve the ball, action shot against a black background.

Highlights Along with current educational and technological initiatives, sport organizations have the opportunity to introduce specific strategies to protect against the risks of concussion within their respective sports.  To develop effective prevention strategies, it’s necessary to understand the extent of the concussion problem and research the factors and mechanisms that contribute to concussion risk.  Interventions, such as rule changes for reducing concussion risks, should be both…

Is technology a coach’s ally or Achilles’ heel? 4 questions to ask

Young male athletes participating in drills at a soccer training camp. Wearing gps tracker devices to collect data.

Over a coffee, we recently reminisced about different sporting environments we’ve worked in and how many times we’ve seen expensive technological solutions sit in a corner, collecting dust. Perhaps you can relate to the pattern. A new technology hits the market, and a few marquee teams or athletes adopt it. You truly believe that the…

Blog writing

Blogs are an important tool for delivering evidence-based research and information to the sport community. In the SIRC blog, read how course instructors at Brock University used blog writing as a powerful teaching tool to reinforce student learning and mobilize sport and recreation research.

Movement-based approaches to program evaluation with children

Cropped view of children sitting on step platforms with balls in gym, panoramic shot

This blog is part of a series in collaboration with Brock University. Written by a student in the ‘Program Evaluation in Professional Practice’ course, this blog draws on a student’s first-hand experience conducting a program evaluation during a placement with the Bounce Back League. In this blog, Ashley Romano, a 4th year undergraduate student, offers…

Predictiveness of NFL Combine

Can standardized drills designed to measure strength, speed and explosiveness predict success in complex sports such as football? Analysis from sport scientists at the University of Rhode Island found the NFL Scouting Combine can predict only 20-25 percent of a player’s future success, and fails to capture intangible traits such as leadership, drive and “mental…

Sub-two-hour marathon demands

In October 2019, Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge ran a sub-two-hour marathon. Research from the University of Exeter on a previous attempt in 2017 discovered elite runners require a “perfect balance” of VO2 max (rate of oxygen uptake), efficiency of movement, and a high “lactate turn point” (above which the body experiences more fatigue) for success.

Concussion research

“The reality is there simply aren’t nearly enough qualified physicians to provide timely assessments for athletes hoping to return-to-play after a sports concussion…For athletes and parents frustrated with long waiting lists to see a doctor or nurse practitioner, [a role for team therapists in return-to-play decisions] is a potential game changer.” Dr. Pierre Frémont from…

Strengthening data protection practices through education

Cyber security and protection of private information and data concept. Locks on blue integrated circuit. Firewall from hacker attack.

Data Privacy Day is an international effort held annually on Jan. 28. The purpose is to create awareness about the importance of privacy and protecting personal information and encourages dialogue for organizations about which best practices should be implemented. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes for the Canadian sport sector including a shift…

Evaluating Impact using the RE-AIM Framework

Soccer ball in goal on green grass

For any organization, the ability to demonstrate impact — to funders, board members, and other stakeholders — is crucial. Demonstrating the value of an organization, project, or service is important to access financial support, engage stakeholders, and achieve organizational objectives (Fedorciow, 2012). Within the Canadian sport system, sport administrators are increasingly required to design and…

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